Salta
High-altitude desert
One of the world's highest wine areas, in Argentina's north-west, where Torrontés and Malbec grow at up to 3,000 metres above the sea.
Overview
About Salta
Salta lies in the far north-west of Argentina, in the Calchaquí valleys of the Andean foothills. Cafayate, at around 1,700 metres, is the main centre, and is famous for Torrontés Riojano, a floral, dry white. Some vineyards, such as those at Colomé, rise above 3,000 metres.
At this altitude the sun is intense and the nights are cold, so grapes keep their colour and acidity despite the heat of the days.
Salta is marked on the map.
Argentina
Shaded: Salta. Map units are states, provinces or départements, so a smaller place appears as the larger area that contains it.
The land
Climate & terroir
Climate
High-altitude desert
Arid, sunny, with very intense ultraviolet light and big differences between day and night. Rainfall is very low and irrigation is essential.
Terroir & soils
What the vines grow in
Sandy, stony alluvial soils with little organic matter, in wide valleys between mountain ranges.
Go deeper
Rules, years & producers
Colomé
Owned by Hess; one of the highest vineyards in the world.
El Esteco
Cafayate; a large estate with Torrontés and old-vine Malbec.
Piattelli
Cafayate; a modern estate for Torrontés and Malbec.
Amalaya
Cafayate; a Torrontés and Malbec producer.
What's grown here
Grapes
Each grape's page links back here.